Protesters waved American flags, chanted “USA!” and held placards with not-so-welcoming words written on them. In the end, the bus was forced to turn around and take its occupants, who were mostly children accompanied by one or both parents, to a border patrol facility in San Diego. That initial showdown has sparked conversations on immigration and racism in the region and country as a whole, and several repeat performances.

In a lovelier form of protest, members of the San Diego Symphony performed alongside the Orquesta de Baja California from across the border fence at Border Field State Park as a tribute to migrant children affected by the incident. 10 News reported the event was part of the symphony’s “Your Song, Your Story” program, which brings free performances to underserved communities. While the small concert wasn’t intended to be a vehicle for political activism, it spread messages of love and respect following the Murrieta incident. Watch compelling video here.

You’re reading the Culture Report, Voice of San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news.

• Plan your entire month of awesome art shows with the help of Pacific magazine. Highlights include James Drake’s ambitious illustrative exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla, Wonka Gallery’s exploration into paranoia, mind control and other matters of the conspiracy-driven mind, and lewd wire art by Spenser Little at La Bodega.

• Space 4 Art was awarded a grant from the San Diego Foundation’s Malin Burnham Center for Civic Engagement and Synergy Art Foundation.

• Does a night featuring performance, storytelling, poetry, sound design, interactive video and live music sound right up your alley? Then check out “Collide/Escape,” an experimental group art show happening Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. at Canvas Gallery.

• They say the ones who paint together stay together, right? Well, that seems to be the case with Selina Calvo and Enrique Lugo (aka Chikle), two well-known Chicano artists who also happen to be married. Check out their first dual art show Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Chicano Art Gallery.

• Eric Wixon has an eye for faces, creating compelling portraits of whimsical, abstract characters in a continuous line. His latest collection of 15 pieces (plus 25 custom-made hats) will be on view and on sale at “Why the Long Face,” opening at Visual this Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Juicy Zhao, Border Symphonies and More Music and Performance Pieces

• The La Jolla Playhouse’s “The Orphan of Zhao” is a “juicy” exploration into Chinese history, according to its star BD Wong, who you may remember from “Law & Order: SVU.” The U-T talked to Wong and others about the riveting play.

• The San Diego Symphony got a helping hand from Oscar-winning composer Bill Conti for “Your Song, Your Story: A Musical Tapestry of and for San Diego,” a series funded by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation. Read all about the ambitious concert series, which features songs, performances, stories and more from hundreds of community members, in the U-T.

• Need to get out of the office? Don’t even have an office? Makers Quarter offers an open, beer-friendly, pet-friendly work space every Wednesday for BYOW (Bring Your Own Work Day). From 1 to 5 p.m. you can get some work done in a fun, outdoor setting. Just keep your pants on, freelancers.

• The San Diego Museum of Art kicks off its awesome Film in the Garden series Monday with a screening of the 1941 matador drama “Blood and Sand,” starring Rita Hayworth and Tyrone Power. Pack a picnic, or buy drinks from the museum and enjoy an evening of summertime goodness. The film starts at 8 p.m.

• MCASD’s popular nighttime art and music mash-up Thursday Night Thing (TNT) returns this week with a party to celebrate its latest exhibition, “James Drake: Anatomy of Drawing and Space.” Enjoy cocktails, artmaking, food from the Tortally Tasty truck and live music from Stone Horse and Gunner Gunner.

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Alex Zaragoza is a freelance writer covering arts and culture in San Diego and Tijuana. She also writes the column "There She Goz" for San Diego CityBeat, which has led her to skydive, pose nude and contact her spirit guides in the great beyond. Not at the same time, of course. You can read her random inane thoughts on Twitter by following @there_she_goz or contact her directly at alejzaragoza@gmail.com.